The difference in the reproductive health status indicators in developed versus developing countries is vast. This disparity represents one of the starkest examples of social injustice of our time. About 530,000 women and 3 million newborn babies die every year during the first week of life because of complications related to pregnancy and childbirth. Almost all these deaths occur in the developing country context and are potentially preventable.
Among the eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) that the United Nations have set to be attained by year 2015, two will be measured in terms of reproductive outcomes: Reduce by three quarters, between 1990 and 2015, the maternal mortality ratio.
Reduce by two thirds, between 1990 and 2015, the under-five mortality rate. Availability of reliable and updated epidemiological data on maternal and perinatal health is the first prerequisite to design and implement effective interventions that could contribute to decrease the burden of disease due to the complications of pregnancy and child birth.
Unfortunately, data on maternal and perinatal outcomes are often lacking, especially from low resource settings. In addition, in the past, maternal and perinatal outcomes have often been recorded and analysed separately.
Recognizing that it is not possible to properly evaluate maternal morbidity/mortality and perinatal health as two separate issues, the WHO is implementing the Multicountry Study on Maternal and Perinatal Health.
This study aims to determine the incidence of major maternal complications, maternal near miss, preterm birth and congenital malformations in several countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America. In addition, we aim to explore the relationship of these conditions with the availability and use of preventive and therapeutic interventions.